Samuel the Lamanite

Fast forward 60 years and the Nephites are in dire straits spiritually.  The Zoramites had left the Church and their country, willingly joining forces with the wicked Lamanites.  Others had fallen into apostasy following the teachings of earlier anti-Christs such as Nehor and Korihor.  Apostate Nephite followers of the treacherous Amalackiah and his equally evil brother, Ammoran, continued to lead the Lamanites into constant military harassment of the Nephites.
 

There was a prophet in Zarahemla, the eldest son of Helaman, but the majority of the people were not listening to him.  Those who were listening were being persecuted by the multitude of non-believers.  The prophet, whose name was Nephi, and his brother, who was called Lehi, worked together preaching repentance and the coming of Messiah/Christ.  They were beaten, spat upon, and thrown into prison.  Lehi was stoned to death and Nephi restored his life through the power of the priesthood.  A few people believed after that miracle; most still did not.
 

It was to that atmosphere that another prophet of God was sent.  His name was Samuel. Here is his story:
 

And now it came to pass . . . the Nephites did still remain in wickedness, yea, in great wickedness, while the Lamanites did observe strictly to keep the commandments of God, according to the law of Moses.

 

And it came to pass that in this year there was one Samuel, a Lamanite, came into the land of Zarahemla, and began to preach unto the people. And it came to pass that he did preach, many days, repentance unto the people, and they did cast him out, and he was about to return to his own land [Jershon].  But behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart.

 

 

And it came to pass that they would not suffer that he should enter into the city; therefore he went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart.  And he said unto them: Behold, I, Samuel, a Lamanite, do speak the words of the Lord which he doth put into my heart; and behold he hath put it into my heart to say unto this people that the sword of justice hangeth over this people; and four hundred years pass not away save the sword of justice falleth upon this people.  Yea, heavy destruction awaiteth this people, and it surely cometh unto this people, and nothing can save this people save it be repentance and faith on the Lord [Messiah/Christ], who surely shall come into the world, and shall suffer many things and shall be slain for his people.

 

And behold, an angel of the Lord hath declared it unto me, and he did bring glad tidings to my soul. And behold, I was sent unto you to declare it unto you also, that ye might have glad tidings; but behold ye would not receive me.  Therefore, thus saith the Lord: Because of the hardness of the hearts of the people of the Nephites, except they repent I will take away my word from them, and I will withdraw my Spirit from them, and I will suffer them no longer . . . But if ye will repent and return unto the Lord your God I will turn away mine anger, saith the Lord; yea, thus saith the Lord, blessed are they who will repent and turn unto me, but wo unto him that repenteth not.

.  .  .

And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.  And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.  Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.  And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. (Helaman 13: 1-8, 11; 14: 2-5)

 

The non-believers shot arrows at him, but the arrows missed their mark and Samuel completed his message and departed in safety for his own home.  He gave the believers hope and they began to count down the months until their beloved Messiah/Christ should come.

 

Text copyright December 2013, Gebara Education

 

Pictures from www.lds.org

except close-up of Samuel the Lamanite, which is from www.bookofmormonbattles.com